Jakarta: Indonesia was hit by two powerful earthquakes on Saturday, with the first and more destructive tremor striking off the eastern island of Flores and leaving at least 48 people dead. Hundreds of buildings were also damaged in the disaster.
According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake near Flores measured 7.7 magnitude and occurred at around 6 a.m. local time. The strong undersea tremor prompted authorities to issue a tsunami warning, although the warning was later cancelled after the immediate tsunami threat passed.
The town of Ende, located close to the earthquake’s epicentre, is around 800 kilometres east of Bali and approximately twice that distance from Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta. Several areas of Flores experienced very strong shaking that continued for about a minute.
Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency said the earthquake was strongly felt in the Nagekeo, Sikka and West Manggarai regions. Residents rushed out of their houses as the ground shook, while the tremor was also felt in parts of South Sulawesi.
The disaster caused widespread damage across Flores. Reports said approximately 1,357 houses were damaged, adding to the difficulties faced by local authorities and rescue teams. Emergency personnel began assessing damaged buildings and searching affected areas for people who might require assistance.
Second Earthquake Hits North Sumatra
Indonesia experienced another major earthquake roughly 13 hours after the Flores tremor. This second earthquake measured 6.9 magnitude and struck near Pematangsiantar in North Sumatra, about 830 miles northwest of Jakarta.
Initial reports indicated that the North Sumatra earthquake had caused no reported deaths or significant damage. Nevertheless, the occurrence of two strong earthquakes in different parts of the country within the same day heightened concerns among residents and authorities.
Rescue and Relief Operations
Emergency agencies have been assessing the damage on Flores while rescue and relief efforts continue. Officials are working to determine the full extent of the destruction and provide assistance to affected communities.
The earthquake is considered one of the strongest to affect Flores in decades. An Indonesian earthquake official said it was among the largest earthquakes to strike the island since 1992, when a magnitude 7.5 earthquake caused considerable destruction.
Why Indonesia Experiences Frequent Earthquakes
Indonesia is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes because the country lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area where several tectonic plates meet. The region is characterised by frequent earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other seismic activity.
The country has experienced several devastating earthquakes and tsunamis in the past. The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, for example, killed around 160,000 people in Indonesia’s Sumatra region, while another major earthquake in 2009 caused more than 1,100 deaths on the same island.
The latest disaster has once again highlighted Indonesia’s exposure to powerful natural disasters and the importance of earthquake preparedness, rapid emergency response and strong infrastructure in vulnerable communities.
